Timing mechanism



NOV- 25, 1941- E. M. RQEDER TIMING' MECHNISM Filed Sept. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIG. 2

'm 0 Faas Il il l INVENToR BEYVERETT MROEDER A ORNEY Nov. 25, 1941.

E. M. RoEDr-:R 2,263,646 TIMING MEGHANISM '4 Filed Sept. 22, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

mvENToR FIG'7 EVERETT M. ROEDER l ATTONEY Nov. 25, 1941. E. M. RoEDER 2,263,646

TIMING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 9 .All

lNvl-:NTOR EVERETT M. ROEDER. BY

ATT RNEY Patented Nov. 25, 1941 TIMING MEonANIsM Everett M. Roeder, Merrick, N. Y., assigner to Remington Arms Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application September 22, 1938, Serial No. 231,225

5 Claims.

This invention relates to thermal devices for effecting the automatic and periodic closing of electric circuits.

More specifically, the invention contemplates an improved mechanism for automatically variably timing the release of one or more target throwing traps, the traps themselves being of any one of a number of types in common use such as shown in Patent No. 1,663,780. Such traps comprise a holder for ar frangible target, to which is connected a throwing spring. The target holder or carrier is held in cocked position with the spring under tension and is released by suitable trigger mechanism usually operated from a distance. The connection from the trap to the operating position or pull stand may be either mechanical or electrical. In the game of Skeet two separated traps are provided, both being operated fromr the same pull stand, the arrangement being such that either trap may be released alone or both released simultaneously. In certain matches it is necessary to provide a variable time interval between the manipulation of the release mechanism by the operator at the pull stand and the actual release of either or both of the traps to deliver a target or targets. Under the rules of the National Skeet Shooting Association this time interval varies from 0 up to 3 seconds and should be entirely out of the control of the operator. Such variable timing is introduced for the purpose of rendering the game somewhat more difficult by providing the variable and uncertain time interval after the shooter calls for a target and before the target is actually thrown. Various appliances for this purpose have been proposed hitherto and have found limited use. The present invention contemplates an improved and greatly simplified but wholly reliable electrically actuated arrangement for effecting such a delayed trap release. Means are likewise provided for disabling the timer and effecting instantaneous trap release through the same manipulative devices.Y For convenience, the device, which is located at the pull stand, will be referred to in its entirety as a timer."

In Vthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a timer comprising one embodiment of the present invention, the casing cover being removed.

2 is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the timer including the casing cover, the casing itself being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a theoretical wiring diagram.

' ported by the cover I3.

Fig. 5 is an assembly view of the timer and control box complete, with the cord connecting these units.

Fig- 6 is a plan view of a modified form of thermally controlled timing device.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a skeleton plan view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In the embodiment of the invention which has been selected for the purpose of illustration, the timer is enclosed in a box or casing identified generally by the numeral I0. From the lower corners of the casing supporting feet Il project downwardly a short distance, on-e object of this construction being to provide clearance beneath the bottom I2 of the casing for the heads of screws by which the timer is securely held in the casing in the manner to be hereinafter described. A cover I3 is provided, the margins of said coverextending over the upper edges of the side and end walls of the casing I0 to better exclude water and foreign materials from the casing. The casing and cover are both preferably made of metal of substantial thickness; for this purpose cast aluminum is preferred.

The entire timer and switch mechanism is sup- From the underside of said cover depend a number of posts, shown as I4, I5, I6 and I1, these posts being so located as not to interfere with the timer and switch mechanism. To the lower ends of such supporting posts there is secured by suitable means, such as screws I8, a base plate I9 which serves as a support for various parts to be described. While the base plate may be metal, it is preferably of an insulating material, such as Bakelite, of requisite toughness and rigidity.

For the control of the external circuits, that is the circuits to the traps to be operated, three switches are provided, a preferred form of switch being shown in Fig. 3. For convenience, the two traps to be controlled will be referred to as the high trap and the low trap. Ihe switches for the two traps are similar, and means are provided for closing two circuits to release both traps simultaneously. It will be understood, however, that any desired number of traps and any desired combinations of any number of traps may be similarly controlled, each trap being provided with a suitable electric release, such for example ras the release described in the aforementioned Patent No, 1,663,780. The characters H and L will be used with reference to the high and low traps respectively. The switch for the high trap comprises two strips of spring metal 2l)H and 2|H which may be provided near their free ends with contact buttons 22III and 23H. The spring members H and 2|H are mounted upon but insulated from the underside of the base plate I9, being spaced from said plate and from each other by suitable insulating blocks identiiied generally by the character 24H. Lead wires are joined to the switch members 20H and 2 I H, preferably being connected thereto by terminal pieces 25H and 26H extending outward from the supporting insulating blocks 24H. The bias of the spring strips is such that the switch is normally open, that is contact buttons 22H and 23H are separated. To establish contact or close the switch, a suitable manipulative device is .provided. This device may take the form of a plunger 21H extending upward through the cover vI3 and provided beneath said cover with a collar 28H furnishing an abutment for a spring 29H, the opposite end of which is received by the upper surface of the base plate I9. The lower end of the plunger 21H projects through an aperthe low trap are of similar construction and identified by the same reference numerals with the character L, and need not be described. In order to close both switches simultaneously `the switch members 20H and 23L are elongated and terminate beneath an operating plunger 30 substantially identical with the plunger 21H and ZIL. It will be apparent that depressing the plunger 30 simultaneously closes both the high trap and the low trap switches;

The circuits for both the high trap and the low trap include an additional automatic switch, the arrangement of the circuits being such that the automatic switch, as well as one of the manual switches above described, must be closed in order to complete the circuit to either trap. The present invention comprises a novel control of the automatic switch. Means are provided for closing the automatic switch for an interval of the order of a twentieth of a second once in every three seconds, orV such other interval as may be f desired, and the switch mechanism is controlled in part by the thermal expansion and contraction of an electrically heated element. The heating circuit is periodically opened and closed to provide alternate heating and cooling of said element.

It is desirable that the automatic switch be one which opens and closes with a positive snap action, as distinguished from one in which the contacting points gradually approach and recede from each other. Switches of satisfactory characteristics are commercially available, and such a switch, known to the trade as the Burgess- Nicro switch, has for convenience been included in each of the two illustrative embodiments of the invention shown in Vthe drawings. Said switch is housed in an insulating block and will be identied generally by the numeral 3I. From the insulating block. extend terminals or binding posts 32 and 33 and a switch controlling plunger 34. This form of switch per se is not part of the present; invention, and need not be described in detail... It is sufficient to say that when the plunger 34 is'in its outward position contact is made betweenterminals 32 and 33,.and when the plunger 34 is pressed inwardly said contact is opened and remains open until the plunger 34 is permitted to move outwardly. Both the opening and closing movement are snap movements, and the switch control is so biased that the plunger 34 tends to move outwardly and close the switch. Such a switch may be used in a number of ways. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the switch is bodily pivoted on a post 35 projecting upwardly from the plate I9. A spring 36 compressed between the side of the switch block and a suitable abutment 3l secured to base plate I9 tends to move the switch counter-clockwise (Fig. l) about its pivot 35. The switch is held against'such movement by a reach of high resistance wire 38, one end of which is secured to an anchor post 39 projecting from the plate I9, the opposite end being connected to the switch terminal 32 by suitable joining devices, such as an angle piece 40 of electrically conductive material. For convenience, wire 38 will be referred to as the hot wire, by reason of the fact that it is periodically heated to permit the switch 3| to move about pivot 35 under the force of spring 36.

Suitably supported opposite the switch plunger 34 is a switch operating abutment. Since it is desirable that this abutment be adjustable, it may conveniently take the form of a screw 4I provided with a manipulative or tool engaging head and threaded into the casing wall. The electric circuit in which the switch 3| and hot wire 38 are connected in series is completed by the closing of a manual cut-out switch 42 mounted on the timer cover plate. When the wire 38 is cold the switch 3I is closed, as heretofore described. When current is passed through the switch and the wire 38, wire 38 is heated and expands, permitting the switch to be moved about pivot 35 by spring 3S. `In this movement the plunger 34 engages and is depressed by abutment 4I, causing the switch to open. The flow of current through wire 38 thereupon ceases, and the wire cools until it is restored to a length such that it again moves the switch clockwise against th'e compression of spring 36, withdrawing plunger 34 from abutment 4I and again closing switch 3l; thus completing one cycle of operation.

This cycle is repeated as long as current is supplied to the circuit including switch 3I and wire 38. The frequency of the cycle is controlled by the relative positions of abutment 4I and plunger 34, and is increased by retracting the abutment 4I. The reason for this is that the rate at which heat is disspiated from wire 38, and consequently A the time required to cool and shorten wire 38 an amount suilicient to close switch 3|, is a function of the diierence between the temperature of wire 38 and the surrounding temperature.V

Specifically, heat is dissipated from the wire at a rate substantially proportional to the fourth power of the temperature differential. When th'e current is first applied to the wire it must, in order to permit the opening of the switch, be exg panded by an amount equal to the distance beby an amount equal to the travel of plunger 34, switch 3| is again closed. This occurs at a temperature far above ambient temperature, for the reason that the wire has not been shortened by the amount of the initial gap between plunger 34 and abutment 4|. 'I'hus-l for a very rapid cycle the operating temperatures are relatively high.

For a slower cycle, abutment 4| is adjusted to approach or even engage and slightly depress plunger 34 when wire 38 is cold. Relatively slight expansion of the wire, effected by heating it to a comparatively low temperature, will open the switch when there is a relatively small difference between the temperature of the wire and the surrounding temperature. Under these conditions heat is radiated from the wire comparatively slowly, and a proportionately longer time must elapse before such slow radiation dissipates enough heat to enable the accompanying temperature reduction to shorten the wire by the 1:'.

amount necessary to again close switch 3|. In either case, however, the time during which the switch is closed is short as compared with the time during which it is open. For example,

in a three second cycle the switch is closed for a time of the order of one-twentieth second.

Suitable conductors are joined to the terminals of the manual and automatic switches and the hot wire 38, and extend from such terminals to terminals on a connection block 43. greater clarity, this block has been shown in the drawings as supported by suitable means in spaced relation to base plate I9, but it will be understood that when the base plate is of insulating material the connection block may be integral therewith, The terminals on the connection block are suitably joined to conductors extending out through the timer casing in a manner to be hereinafter described. To the underside of base plate |9 are secured posts 44 of such length as to extend below the switches, connection block, etc., held on the underside of said plate. Said posts are apertured and threaded to receive screws 45 extending upwardly through apertures in the bottom |2 of the casing. It will be noted that the timer and switches are all rigidly mounted and supported from cover I3 and that the complete mechanism is held in the casing I0 by the screws 45 and can be removed therefrom by removing said screws.

A convenient and simple arrangement of the apparatus at the pull stand is illustrated in Fig. 5. A control box 65 is provided with an insulating cover plate 66 upon which are mounted three pairs of binding posts; one pair of posts B are connected to the battery or other source of current, another pair of posts H are connected to any desired form of release for the high trap7 and a third pair' of posts L are connected to a release for the low trap. Inside the insulating cover plate 66 appropriate connections (shown in Fig. 4) are made from thev three pairs of binding posts to the four terminals of the socket part B1 of a separable plug connector, said part 6l being mounted in cover 66. the prong portion 68' of said separable plug are connected to the conductors of a flexible cord 69 which passes through an aperture 10 in the casing l0 of the timer, and within the timer the four conductors are suitably joined to terminals on connection block 43, as heretofore described. This arrangement contemplates that the connection box will be permanently mounted at the pull stand; whereas the timer unit, being an instrument of some delicacy andlvalue, can be removed For it rIhe terminals of '3.

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when not in use merely by disconnecting the separable plug 61j- 68. l

The wiring for the embodiment of the invention heretofore described is illustrated in Fig. 4. Current is taken from a suitable source, illusf trated as a battery B. It may be remarked that it has been found in practice that an ordinary six-volt dry-cell battery of the type commonly identied as a hot shot will operate the timer and likewise release the magnets for two traps controlled by the timer for an almost indefinite time; one particular installation has used the same hot shot battery for two years on an unusually busy field. Any other source of current, however, maybe provided; for example, the apparatus operates equally well with current supplied by a six-volt transformer. One of the battery leads 50 is connected (in the connection box heretofore described) to the two external circuits, that is the two circuits through the two traps to be operated, and is likewise connected through lead 5| to cut-out switch 42. If the switch 42 is open, depression of one of the plungers 21H, 2'|L and 30, eiects instantaneous release of the trap or traps controlled by such plunger, as will presently appear. From the cut-out switch 42 current is fed by a conductor 52 to one end of the hot or automatic switch controlling wire 38, heretofore described. From the opposite end of the hot Wire 38 the current passes through connecting piece 49 and terminal 32 to the automatic switch 3|. The second terminal 33 of said automatic switch is connected through a conductor 54 with the second terminal of the battery. To the connecting piece 40, or the hot wire 38 adjacent said connecting piece, is joined a conductor 55 which feeds the terminals 2 lH and 2li' of the manual switches. The terminals 23H and 20L of said manual switches are connected with the external circuits of the high and low traps respectively by conductors 56 and 5l. The connections may be made, for example, to a release similar to that of Patent No. 1,663,780:

The operation of the device with reference to the circuits indicated may be described as follows:

Consider first, instantaneous release. The cutout switch 42 is open, so that no current passes through Wire 38. Current from the battery B passes by way of conductor 54 to the terminal 33 of the automatic switch 3|, which in this operation remains closed. From switch terminal 32 and connecting piece 40 current passes through the conductor 55 to the manual switch blades 2|H and 2|L. Depression of one of the plungers 21H, ZTL' or 30, completes the circuit to the opposite side of the battery, through the high house trap circuit, the low house trap circuit, or both, depending upon the plunger depressed. To effeet delayed timing of trap release, the cut-out switch 42 is closed. This completes a circuit from the battery through conductor 54, automatic switch 3|, hot wire 38, and conductors 52, 5| and 50, back to the battery. The automatic switch now periodically opens and closes as heretofore described. Since switch 3| is a part of the circuit to either trap and is open most of the time, it is clear that to operate either or both traps one of the switch controlling plungers 21H, 2`|L and 38, must not only be depressed but held in depressed position until such time as the automatic switch 3| is closed.

It will be apparent that the structure and circuits" heretofore described may be varied and modiiied in a variety of Ways, and that various 'forms of snap action switches'may be utilized.

.19 and a xed support 82.

For example, it may be considered desirable to lbalance the hot wire against a wire of similar properties which is not subjected to heat. One such arrangement is diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. To a projection upon a base plate 15 is rigidly secured a snap action switch 11, which may be of' the same type as the switch heretofore described. Pivoted in trunnions 18 extending'from the base plate 1S is a post 19 which is urged. clockwise (Fig. 7) about its pivot 80 by suitable means such as a spring 8|k tensioned between the top of post The upper end of post 19 is of reduced diameter and forms a vertical pivot for a T-'bar comprising transversely extending arms 83 and 84 and a longitudinally extending arm 85. The outer portion of arm 85 is disposed opposite the switch operating plunger 86. To the arm 84 is secured one end of the hot ror expansion wire 81, the opposite end of which is secured to a xed support 88. To the arm 83 is secured a wire 89 identical withthe expansion wire 81 and suitably attached to an adjusting screw 90 threaded into an aperture in an upturned portion 9| of the base plate 16. These parts are so adjusted that when the'expansion wire 81 is cold arm 85 clears the plunger 88 by an amount sufficient to provide the desired timing, as heretofore described. When wire 81 is heated, by the passage therethrough of a current or in any other desired manner, it will be elongated and the T-bar will pivot about the point of attachment of the wire 89,.-'being so moved by the tension of spring 8|. ment shifts the free end of arm 85 of the T- bar'to the right (Fig. 6), depressing plunger 86 and opening the switch. When wire 81 is again cooled, its increased tension restores the parts to normal position, withdrawing the arm85 from plunger 86 and closing the switch. `Since wires B1 and 88 are of identical characteristics, this arrangement provides for wire variations in ambient temperature. Any change in ambient temperature merely lengthens or shortens both wires 31 and 89 by identical amounts, slightly rocking the post 19 about its pivot S8. Substantially identical tension in the wires 81 and 89 at difierent temperatures is maintained by spring 8|. It will be understood that the circuits containing and controlled by switch 11 are similar to those illustrated in Fig. 4.

A modication of the invention, permitting of a very fine adjustment of timing, is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. A snap switch |08 which may be of the same type as the switch utilized in the forms of the invention heretofore described, is pivoted at Ml Von a base plate |82 of insulating material. A switch operating plunger |63 is contacted by a bar |84 pivoted at 85 and joined at |538 to a spring |81 the opposite end of which is carried by a xed support |03. An expansion wire |88 is supported between an anchor post Htl and the aforementioned bar |84. The side of the housing of switch |80 opposite the operating plunger ISS is engaged by a pin eX- tending from a lever ||2 pivoted at ||3. At a suitable point lever ||2 is engaged by an adjustable abutment such as a screw I4 threaded into aperture in the casing. It will be obvious that the movement of the portion of switch |80 adjacent the operating plunger |03, which is effected by change in the position of lever ||2 brought about by altering the position of screw IM; is proportional to the lengths of the arms of This move- 1 the various levers involved, and that any desired ratio between the movement of the control part of the switch and the advance of screw ||4 may be readily secured. The leads from expansion wire |09, as well as the terminals of other electricald'evices heretofore'described, may be attached to connecting pieces identied generally by numeral |5 which are mounted directly upon the base plate |82, Vsaid base plate being of insulating material.

`It will be obvious that the invention is susceptible to many other variations, all falling within the scope of the appended claims, which claims are to be broadly construed.

What is claimed is: Y

l.. Apparatus of the character described comprising; a circuit having therein a load, a source of electric current, a manual switch biased to open position, a unitary housed snap action switch connected in series with said manual switch, said source of current and said load; and means for automatically and periodically opening and closing said snap action switch comprising a switch opening plunger projecting therefrom, an abutment adapted for engagement by said plunger whereby said switch is opened, and thermally responsive' means ccnnected to close a circuitthrough said source of current and said snap action switch and joined lto said snap action switch housing, whereby cooling of said thermally responsive means moves said housing to withdraw said plunger from contact with said abutment.

2. Apparatus of the character described comi prising; a circuit having therein a load, a source of electric current, a manual switch biased to open position, a pivotally mounted.' unitary housed snap action switch connected in series with said manual switch, said source of current and said load; and means Yfor automatically and periodically opening and closing said snap action switch comprising a switch opening plunger projecting therefrom, an abutment adapted for engagement by said plunger whereby said switch is opened, resilient means engaging said housing and urging said plunger toward said abutment, and means for controlling the movement of said'housing by said resilient means comprising thermally responsive means connected to close a circuit through said source of current and snap action switch anad joined to said snap action switch housing.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising; a circuit having therein a load, a source of electric current, a manual switch biased to open position, a pivotally mounted, unitary housed snap action switch connected in series with said manual switch, said sourceof current and said load; and means for automatically and periodically opening and closing said snap action switch comprising a switch opening plunger projecting therefrom; adjustable means for controlling the period of such opening and closing comprising an abutment adapted for engagement by said plunger whereby said switch is opened, resilient means engaging said housing and urging said plunger toward said abutment, and means for controlling the movement of said housing by said resilient means comprising-thermally responsive means connected to close-a circuit through said source of current and said snap action switch and joined to said snap action switch housing.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising; a circuit having therein a load, a source of electric current, a manual switch biased t0 open position, a unitary housed snap action switch connected in series with said manual switch, said source of current and said load; and means for automatically and periodically opening and closing said snap action switch comprising a switch opening plunger projecting therefrom, an abutment adapted for engagement by said plunger whereby said switch is opened, thermally responsive means connected tc close a circuit through said source of current and said snap action switch and controlling the relative positions of said abutment and said snap action switch housing, and a second thermally responsive element so associated with said thermally responsive means as to compensate for changes in ambient temperature.

5. Apparatus for the character described comprising; a circuit having therein a load, a source of electric current, a manual switch biased to open position, a unitary housed snap action switch connected in series with said manual switch, said source of current and said load; and means for automatically and periodically opening and closing said snap action switch comprising a switch opening plunger projecting therefrom, an abutment adapted for engagement by said plunger whereby said switch is opened, thermally responsive means connected to close a circuit through said source of current and said snap action switch and controlling the relative positions of said abutment and said snap action switch housing, a support for said thermally responsive means, and a thermally responsive element adapted to shift said support to compensate for changes in ambient temperature.

EVERETT M. ROEDER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,265,6).1.6.` November 25, 19M.

EVEBETT H. ROEDER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed spe ciic ation of the above numbered' patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 56, for "plunger" read -plungersg line 6h., for "Nicro" read .Micro; and second column, line 55, for "disspiated" read dissipated; pagei, first column, line )4.5, for "wire" read --wide; and second column,

line 5l, claim 2, for "anad" read and`; and page 5, first column, linel 18, claim 5', for the word "for" read of'-.; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same mayconform to the record of' the case in the Patent Office.

signed and sealed this 50th day of December, A. D. 19141.

5 Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

. CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,265,946 I November 25, l94l.

EVEEETTv M'. ROEDER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed spe cific ation ofthe above numbered' patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first column, line 56), for "plunger"read--plungers-f; line 6h., for "Niere" read' Micro; and second column., line 55? for "disspiated" read --dissipated--g pagei, first column, line )45, for "wireread --vvide; and second column,

line 5l, claim 2v, for "anad u read -and--g andpage 5, first column, line 18, claim 5', for the' word "for" read -of; and that the Said Letters. Patent should'be reati with this correction Vtherein that the same niayiconform to the record of case in the Patent Office.

Signed.- and sea-led this Othvday of December,v A. D.` 19141.

l Henry- Van Arsdale., (Seal) y. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

